Fishing Pool 9 of the Mississippi River for Bass Tournament Anglers: A Seasonal Guide

The Mississippi River is a dynamic, complex waterway that offers bass anglers a unique fishing experience. Pool 9, located in the stretch of the river between Genoa, Wisconsin, and Lynxville, Wisconsin, is a prime section of the river that hosts large populations of both largemouth and smallmouth bass. For tournament anglers, understanding the seasonal changes in bass behavior, as well as how to navigate the river’s unique structure and current, is crucial to success. This guide will walk you through the techniques to use during the different seasons and offer tips on how to fish a river system effectively.

General Tips for Fishing a River System

Before diving into seasonal strategies, it’s important to understand a few general principles when fishing in a river system like Pool 9:

• Current and Water Flow: Rivers like the Mississippi are constantly moving. Current is one of the most significant factors in river fishing, affecting bass behavior, feeding patterns, and habitat selection. In fast-moving water, bass often face into the current and position themselves in eddies, behind structure, or in slack water areas where they can ambush prey.

• Water Clarity: The water clarity in Pool 9 can vary widely depending on rainfall, flow rates, and time of year. During the spring and early summer, the water tends to be murky, while in the fall, it can clear up significantly. Adapt your fishing techniques and lure selection based on visibility. In murky water, use loud, vibrating lures like crankbaits or spinnerbaits to attract fish. In clearer water, consider finesse tactics with more subtle presentations.

• Structure and Cover: Look for submerged rocks, fallen trees, weed beds, and riprap. These are all key types of structure where bass can hold. In a river system, the fish will often seek out areas where they can ambush prey, such as behind rocks or in the eddies formed by current. Pay attention to channel edges, drop-offs, and shallow flats, especially near islands or points.

• Wind and Weather: Wind can play a significant role in river fishing. It can alter the flow of the current and make bass more likely to be in the back of coves or behind structure where they can shelter from the wind. A steady breeze often means active bass, while calm days might make them more lethargic and harder to locate.

Fishing Pool 9 by Season

Pre-Spawn (Late Winter to Early Spring)

In late winter to early spring, bass in Pool 9 are preparing for their spawn. They’ll be moving from deeper water into shallower areas, but they are not quite in full-on spawning mode. During this period, bass are generally looking to feed up and bulk up for the spawn.

• Technique: Slow, methodical presentations are key during the pre-spawn phase. Use a lipless crankbait or jig (such as a football jig or swim jig) to cover a lot of ground, especially along drop-offs and near submerged rocks. The cold water temperatures will make bass less aggressive, so use a slow retrieve.

• Target Areas: Focus on areas that offer a transition from deeper to shallower water, such as points, ledges, and the mouths of tributaries. Bass often stage near these areas before moving to their spawning grounds.

• Tips: Use braid for sensitive feel in the cold water, especially when fishing jigs or soft plastics. Additionally, use a flipping technique to get into heavy cover like submerged logs and brush.

Spawn (Mid to Late Spring)

During the spawn, bass move into the shallow flats, back bays, and along the edges of the main river. Largemouth bass will nest in protected areas, while smallmouths tend to spawn in slightly deeper, rocky locations.

• Technique: Once bass are on the bed, they become territorial. Use flipping and pitching techniques with soft plastics (like a creature bait or a tube) to target beds and post-spawn areas. A carolina rig with a soft plastic worm can be deadly in areas with a hard bottom. For smallmouths, a drop shot or Ned rig can be very effective when targeting fish in slightly deeper water.

• Target Areas: Look for shallow, sandy or rocky areas where bass are likely to spawn. These can include flats near islands, small coves, or the back ends of river channels.

• Tips: Pay attention to water clarity, as bass beds can be more visible in clearer conditions. The best time to fish is often early in the morning or late in the evening when fish are more likely to be active and moving.

Post-Spawn (Late Spring to Early Summer)

After the spawn, bass are tired and typically scatter into deeper water to recover. During this time, you’ll find bass staging near structures in deeper, cooler areas of the river. They can be harder to locate, but they’re still hungry.

• Technique: Switch to a carolina rig or a deep-diving crankbait to cover deeper water where bass are recovering. A spinnerbait or chatterbait can also work well when targeting post-spawn bass in shallower, weedy areas. Fish slower as bass may still be lethargic.

• Target Areas: Look for main river points, ledges, and drop-offs in depths of 10 to 15 feet. Secondary channels and shallow backwaters can also hold fish as they start to transition out of their spawning areas.

• Tips: Use electronics to locate schools of post-spawn bass, especially as they begin to group up in deeper, cooler water. Pay attention to water temperature, as bass will be moving back into the main river or deeper pools.

Summer (Mid to Late Summer)

Summer fishing in Pool 9 is all about understanding the effects of heat on bass behavior. During the summer months, bass seek cooler, oxygen-rich water, often moving to deeper, shaded areas or structures.

• Technique: Deep cranking with a large crankbait or swim jigs around deeper structures like submerged rocks or ledges is a good technique for summer bass. Use a Texas rig with large plastic worms for deeper presentations, especially in the main river channel.

• Target Areas: Look for deep holes, channel swings, submerged islands, and structure that provides both shelter and food for bass. Early mornings and late afternoons are the most productive times.

• Tips: Stay on the move and cover lots of water. The bass will be more spread out, and the current will often push them into pockets or into the shadows of structures. Be patient and strategic with your lure presentations, and don’t be afraid to fish slow.

Fall (Early to Late Fall)

As water temperatures begin to drop in fall, bass start to feed aggressively in preparation for winter. They will roam the shallows looking for baitfish, and their metabolism will increase, making them more active than in summer.

• Technique: Topwater baits, like spooks or buzzbaits, can be effective as bass become more active in the cooler temperatures. You can also use shad imitation baits like crankbaits or swimbaits. In deeper areas, a spinnerbait or football jig can work well.

• Target Areas: As fall progresses, bass will move to feeding areas near river mouths, current breaks, and shallow flats where baitfish are abundant. Pay attention to the areas where shad and other baitfish are concentrated.

• Tips: Use shad-colored baits and focus on areas with visible surface activity or where baitfish are schooling. The cooler temperatures make for more predictable bass patterns, especially during the first and last light of the day.

Conclusion

Fishing Pool 9 of the Mississippi River requires a versatile and strategic approach. Understanding how bass move and behave during each season is essential for tournament success. From the slow, methodical pre-spawn techniques to the aggressive feeding habits in fall, adapting to the river’s ever-changing conditions will make all the difference.

Focus on current, structure, and water clarity as key factors in determining where bass are holding and how to present your baits. With the right approach, Pool 9 can be a rewarding challenge for bass tournament anglers year-round.

  TIPS:  

  Things you should know about bass fishing tournaments from Lansing. 

    In 2020, Village Creek Landing was completely redone by the Iowa DNR.  Consequently, the facilities are brand new and top notch.  What used to be porta poddies are now a very nice building with wide open clean spaces in the rest rooms.  Because such an investment was made here, the Iowa DNR keep a close eye on things and hopefully the landing stays clean and tidy for years to come.  

    When entering the landing there is a nice unrigging lane to the far left of the parking lot where 15 boats can rest nicely while they prepare for their voyage.  Because the rigging lanes were laid out so well, the ramp traffic moves efficiently and the rigging lanes upon exit are a completely different and well placed section of the parking lot.

    The launching ramps are saddled by docks to assist you in loading and unloading.  There is also a fishing dock 25 feet south of the launch ramp and it is wheel chair accessible.  As a result you’ll seldom have to deal with shore fishing from the launching docks.

    When exiting drive straight ahead to the long rigging lane to the left or pull into one of the many nicely paved parking spots to prepare for travel. 

    If leaving through Lansing observe the 25 MPH speed limit next to the river to stay on the locals good graces.  Lansing is an anglers town where bass boats are welcomed.

  Pool 9 is a place most want to fish and many often take the long run to fish it from neighboring pools.  Pool 9 has an abundance of backwater and current influenced areas making smallies and largemouth both prime targets.  If you like fishing wing dams you’ve come to the right place too.  Walleye boats pepper the water from early spring until late fall.  Lansing has something from everyone.

    We will be adding some fishing tips here soon, but until then don’t forget your flipping rods and swim jigs.  A frog rod would also be a great idea but be sure you have braid on it as there are plenty of Northern Pike in this pool.

    Across the street from the Kwik Star is a hardware store where Interstate batteries can be purchased at great prices.  They also have a very river specific tackle wall with highly sought after local favorite lures.  (Ribbit!)  

    Tight lines from your friends at Bass-Cafe.com.

    Check us out on Facebook@IowaBassTournam